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Monday 9am - 4pm Tuesday 9am - 4pm Wednesday 9am - 4pm Thursday 9am - 4pm Friday 9am - 4pm Saturday 9am - 2pm

http://www.dekalbfuneralchapel.com/

Dekalb Funeral Chapel, 863 S Congress Boulevard, Smithville, TN (2026)

02/25/2026

Christine Caplinger Jennings, age 100, went to her heavenly home on Monday, February 23, 2026. She was born in Liberty, TN to her parents, Fantley and Lena Self Caplinger on April 19, 1925. Christine resided in Caplinger Hollow and was a member of Pisgah Methodist Church.

After graduating from Liberty High School in 1944, Christine moved to Watertown and worked in a factory until she married Joe Donnell Jennings on September 3, 1946. They moved to Murfreesboro where she helped Joe through Middle Tennessee State University and Peabody College, and they became parents of a baby girl, Donna Carolyn.

In 1950 they moved to Smithville and joined First Baptist Church. Christine went to work at the Smithville Shirt factory and Joe was over the Health Department. In 1967 they along with James and Betty Herndon purchased Center Hill Motel and Restaurant. They alternated weeks running the business, so Christine was often helping to clean rooms, waiting tables, cooking or running the cash register. She worked wherever she was needed. The business was sold in 1977. Christine then enjoyed being a housewife and spending winters in Florida after Joe retired.

Christine was a devoted daughter, daughter-in-law, and mother. She enjoyed helping people and spending time with relatives. Christine was preceded in death by her parents, Fantley and Lena Self Caplinger; husband, Joe Donnell Jennings; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Willie and Addie Jennings; She will be sadly missed by her daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Dean Ogden of Cleveland, TN; step-granddaughter, Susan (Pete) Brown of FL.; and extended family and friends.

Funeral service will be held Friday, February 27, 2026, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel at 1:PM with Bros. Gary Caplinger and Chad Ramsey officiating and burial to follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held Friday, February 27, 2026, from 11: AM until 1: PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Lighthouse Christian Camp in memory of Ms. Christine. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Jennings family.

02/18/2026

Gladys Helen Cantrell age 91, of Smithville passed away early Tuesday morning February 17, 2026 at her daughter's residence. She was born March 16, 1934, to her parents the late, Roy Lee and Allie Mai Taylor Fuson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, Elmus "Tot" Cantrell; daughter, Phyllis Hallum; grandson, Jeremy Hallum; sisters, Bobbie Page and Athelene Page; brothers, Willie Lee Fuson, Roy Fuson, Jr. Ms. Gladys attended Mt. View the Baptist Church and worked as a hair stylist. Funeral services will be 2 PM Thursday February 19, 2026, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Michael Hale officiating and burial to follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Wednesday 4 PM until 7 PM and on Thursday 12 Noon until the time of the service at 2 PM. She is survived by daughter, Suzanne (Bill) Gash of Smithville; five grandchildren, Mandy (Paul) Talley of Franklin, Stephanie (Scott) Moore of Smithville, Cory (Samantha) Bradford of Sparta, Jordan (Erika) Gash of Shelbyville, Rachel (Kieran) Gash of Texas; great grandchildren, Hudson Talley, Owen Talley, Wesley Hallum, Peyton Hallum, Connor Crabtree, Trey Crabtree, Simon Olgetree, Dawson (Jessica) Olgetree, Torryn Gash, Spencer Gash, Jiraiya Russell; two sisters, Barbara Malone of Alexandria, Violet Starnes of Smithville; one brother, Eddie Ray Fuson of Smithville; several nieces and nephews also survive. In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made to Live & Let Live Homeless Shelter in memory of Ms. Gladys. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Cantrell family.

02/14/2026

Marie Vaughn Taylor age 75 of Smithville, passed away Friday morning, February 13, 2026, at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital. She was born June 29, 1950, in Smithville, to her parents Walter and Willie Adcock Vaughn. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, James Vaughn; sister, Nell (Earl) Raymond; brother-in-law, Elmer Adcock and nephew, Timmie (Peggy) Adcock. She was a faithful member of the Mt. View Primitive Baptist Church. Marie worked at Todd's Garment and SW Manufacturing and was a seamstress for many years. She was a homemaker and cared for her family and was such a support and fan for her three grandsons. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 54 1/2 years, James "Jimmy" Taylor of Smithville; two children, Jeremy Taylor and Amanda of Smithville and LeVaughnda (Casey) Midgett of Smithville; three grandsons, Luke, Reed and John Casey Midgett; sister, Flora Mai Adcock of Smithville; nephews, Brian (Kristin) Raymond and Adam (Amy) Raymond; great-nieces and nephews, Thomas, Brianna, Aniston and Alexis Raymond. Funeral services will be 11 AM Monday, February 16, 2026, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Ricky Arnold and Casey Midgett officiating and burial will follow in DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Sunday 4 PM until 7 PM and Monday 9 AM until the time of the service at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Mt. View Primitive Baptist Church or to the charity of your choice in memory of Mrs. Marie. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Taylor family.

02/14/2026

Emil Carl Heyder age 75 passed away Thursday night February 12, 2026, at his home in Smithville. He was born May 12, 1950, in Columbus, Ohio to his parents the late Eddison Charles and Juanita Rose Wiley Heyder. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Harvey Heyder. Mr. Heyder was a member of Smithville Church of God. He worked as Purchasing Manager for SGS Thompson, which is now ST Microelectronics. He served on the Sunbury Ohio Police Department for 5 years and was a former member of the Sheriff's Possi in Arizona. He married his High School sweetheart, Jacqueline Gagnon on January 29, 1972. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jacqueline Gagnon Heyder of Smithville; three children, Kristel RoseLee Donaldson of TN, Angel O'Grace Shaw of TN, and Lynnette Jacqueline McDonald of AZ; ten grandchildren, Andreja, Brendan, Emily, Ally, Ryan, Roman, Brooklyn, Brody, Hollister, and Daxton; sister, Jacque Rose Miller of Az. Funeral services will be held 1 PM Monday February 16, 2026 at the Smithville Church of God with Bro. Chris Moore officiating and burial will follow in Prayer Walk Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday 11 AM until the time of the service at 1 PM at the Smithville Church of God. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to the Smithville Church of God in memory of Mr. Heyder. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Heyder family.

02/14/2026

Shirley Ruth Kurtz Zemonick, 94, passed away on Feb 12, 2026, in her current home in Smithville, TN, with much of her family near her side.

Shirley was born on Jan 9, 1932, in Springfield Twp, Ohio, to Charles and Lorena (Holl)Kurtz, the youngest of four children. She enjoyed her childhood and loved her parents, speaking about them a great deal in her last months. She was a long-time member of the Springfield Church of the Brethren, where she was married on Jan 10, 1959, to August Zemonick.

She worked for a time in her younger years as a dental assistant and in her mature years in retail. In between, most of her energy was spent creating a warm home and caring for her family. She was active as a parent volunteer while her children were in school.

Shirley had a lifelong love of animals and adored her grand-dogs and -cats. She was in her happy place when she got puppy kisses. She also loved laughing and cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes every football season. Over the years, she enjoyed embroidery, crossword puzzles, word searches, and reading, especially Amish fiction. She liked listening to Big Bands, Frank Sinatra, and Beegie Adair.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Lorena Kurtz; her brother, Galen Kurtz; her sisters, Ferne MacFarlan and Alta Chevolard; and her husband, August Zemonick. She leaves behind daughters and son-in-law, Suzanne Houglan and Marianne and Don Young, and several nieces and nephews. It was Shirley's wish that there be no services. Her family will have a private interment at a later date in Maple Hill Cemetery in Akron, OH. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Zemonick family.

02/14/2026

Jeff Wi******er age 57, of Smithville passed away Thursday evening February 12, 2026, at St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital. He was born August 14,1968, to his parents the late James Ernest and Ruth Louise Hale Wi******er, Jr. Jeff attended Peoples Pentecostal Church and worked at Federal Mogul. He is survived by his wife Meresa Wi******er of Smithville; three children: JJ (Amanda) Wi******er of Liberty, Tiffany (Heath) Robinson of Alexandria, and Jacob (Shana) Wi******er of Smithville; grandchildren: Averie Wi******er, Connor Robinson, Cooper Robinson, Jackson Wi******er, Addilyn Wi******er, Hadlee Wi******er, Jesse Wi******er, Alivia Wi******er, Jameson Wi******er, Autumn Wi******er, Jace Wi******er; three sisters: Michelle (Tim) Lord of Missouri, Jan Wi******er of Smithville and Jenniffer (Kevin) Agee of Smithville; brother: Ernie (Vanessa) Wi******er of Smithville, and Jason (Jenniffer) Wi******er of Smithville. Funeral services will be held 1:30 PM Sunday February 15, 2026, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bros. Nathan Thomason and Michael Hale officiating and burial will follow in DeKalb Cemetery. Visitation will be held Saturday 2 PM until 7 PM and Sunday 10 AM until the time of the service at 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Wi******er family.

02/10/2026

Daniel Gibbs age 49 of Smithville passed away Thursday February 5, 2026, at St. Thomas Dekalb Hospital ER. He was born December 1, 1976, to his parents the late Danny and Patsy Bradshaw Gibbs. Daniel worked as a Mechanic. He is survived by his son, Christopher (Deana) Gibbs of Greenbrier, Tn; four grandchildren, Ayden, Addison, Emma, and Hazel Gibbs; three sisters, Melissa (Terry) Hicks of Liberty, Michelle Anderson of Smithville, and Becky Gibbs of Smithville; girlfriend, Carol Tipton of Smithville; several nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews also survive. The family has honored Mr. Gibbs request to be cremated. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. The family ask that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses in memory of Daniel. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Gibbs family.

02/02/2026

Paul Blair age 81 of the Keltonburg Community passed away Saturday afternoon January 31, 2026, at N.H.C. Healthcare of Smithville. He was born August 26, 1944, to his parents the late Calvin and Vergia Hubbard Blair. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Brenda Colgan and Dean Turner; brother, Eugene Blair. Paul was the manager of DeKalb Utility District, manager at Genesco and Texas Boot, and a lifelong farmer. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gail Blair of Smithville; daughter, Jill Davis of Smithville; grandson, Dillon (Jessica) Davis of Smithville; great-grandchildren, Bryson and Caleb Davis; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held 2 PM Wednesday February 4, 2026 at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Michael Hale officiating and burial to follow in Keltonburg Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday 12 Noon until the time of the service at 2 PM. The family ask in lieu of flowers that donations may be made to Keltonburg Cemetery in memory of Mr. Paul. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Blair family.

01/31/2026

Michael Anthony "Tony" Allen age 63 passed away Thursday afternoon, January 29, 2026, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He was born November 22, 1962 in Chicago, IL to his parents, the late Dewel and Dolores Jones Allen. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Keith Allen and nephew, Christopher Allen. He was a factory worker, a pizza delivery guy and member of the Church of Christ. Tony enjoyed car racing, Vanderbilt sports and rock-n-roll. He survived by a niece, Ashley Shepherd of Dowelltown; nephew, Kevin Allen of Nashville; great-nieces and nephews, Taylor Allen, Katelyn Allen, Jonathan Judkins, Peyton Shepherd, Cameron Allen, Riley Austin, Autumn Allen. Graveside services and interment will be 1:30 PM Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Bonham Cemetery with Bro. Billy Martin officiating. There will not be any visitation or services at the funeral home, family and friends will meet at Bonham Cemetery for the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Allen family.

01/23/2026

Lonnie "Little Pa" Hale age 82 of Liberty, passed away Thursday January 22, 2026, at his home. He was born November 30, 1943, to his parents the late Jeff and Aubrey Putty Hale. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Hale; brothers, Ray Hale and Lee Hale. Lonnie was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose life was marked by hard work, faith and deep love for his family and community. He dedicated more than 30 years of service to the Center Hill Dam Parks, where his strong work ethic and dependability were well known.

Lonnie took great pride in the simple, meaningful things in life. He enjoyed gardening and canning, loved mowing his yard, caring for his building and keeping his tools clean and in perfect order. He also enjoyed finding treasures at the local dump, always seeing value and possibility where others might not. He was always ready with a laugh or a smile. Evenings often found him relaxing while watching Gunsmoke.

His faith was an important part of his life, and he dearly loved his church family at Temperance Hall Pentecostal. Lonnie was also immensely proud to call Temperance his home, a place he cherished and spoke of often.

He is survived by children, Kevin (Judith) Hale, Stacey (Misty) Hale, and Crystal Hale; grandchildren, April (Justin)Brooks, Kelsey (Jonah) Burke, Jacob (Jennifer) Hale, Brady (Katie) Hale, Chloe Hale, Destiny, Jefferson, Autumn Collins; great-grandchildren, Brantley, Korbin, Tinley Mae Brooks, Orbrie Annamay and Eliza Burke, Carter Knox Hale and two great-grandbabies coming soon; brother, P. I. (Janie) Hale; mother of his children, Judy Mallory.

Lonnie will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. His legacy of faith, hard work, and love will live on through his family and the many lives he touched. The family would like to say a special "Thank you" to Gentiva Hospice and Caldwell's Drugs for the love and care shown during Mr. Lonnie's sickness.

Funeral services will be held Friday January 23, 2026, at 3PM at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Chris McMillen officiating and interment to follow in Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday January 23, 2026, from 10 AM until the time of the service at 3 PM. The family ask in addition to flowers donations may be made to Temperance Hall Pentecostal Church in memory of Lonnie. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Hale family.

01/21/2026

Christopher Tye Walls age 43 of Murfreesboro passed away Saturday night, January 17, 2026, at St. Thomas Midtown Hospital in Nashville. He was born November 28, 1982, in Murfreesboro. Chris was preceded in death by his grandparents, Roy Walls and Nannie Walls Dunn. He was cell tower technician with Mastec and served two years in the U.S. Navy. Chris loved nature and outdoor adventures, motorcycle enthusiast and spending time with family and friends. He is survived by his mother, Rita Walls of Murfreesboro; his canine companion, Buddy; two stepchildren, Zoe Neal and Kevin Neal both of Chattanooga; aunts and uncles, Wanda Hollis and Bobby (Cecilia) Walls all of McMinnville, Dan Walls, Verna Green and Kathy Scott all of Smithville; several cousins and his work family at Murfreesboro Mastec. The family has honored Chris's request to be cremated, and a Memorial Service will be held 6 PM Thursday, January 22, 2026, at DeKalb Funeral Chapel with Bro. Michael Hale officiating. Visitation will be Thursday 4 PM until the time of the service at 6 PM. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to DeKalb Funeral Chapel to help with funeral expenses. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Walls family.

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Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 4pm
Saturday	9am - 2pm